WNBA rookie tracker: Clark, Fever win back-to-back games for first time this season
The 2024 WNBA season is about a quarter way through a 40-game schedule. And all eyes are on Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and one of the most anticipated rookie classes in league history.
The rookie class is loaded with potential future stars. In addition to Clark, forwards Cameron Brink, the No. 2 draft pick with the Los Angeles Sparks, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, are among the rookies consistently in starting lineups.
How are the top rookies playing? We’ll track their performances every time they take the court, so check back every game day.
Last updated: June 16
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Angel Reese called for flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese receives a flagrant foul 1 call for a hard play on Caitlin Clark.
Guard | 6-foot | Game log | Stats
Last time out: The Fever have their first winning streak of 2024 as they defeated the Sky 91-83 on Sunday, following their victory over Atlanta on Thursday.
Sunday was one of Indiana’s best overall games: The Fever had their best shooting percentage from the field (56.5%) since 2022 and their most blocks (11) since 2014. It was also one of Clark’s best games in her young WNBA career: 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 9 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to have at least 20 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds in a game. Two other No. 1 picks, Candace Parker and A’ja Wilson, had 20/8/8 games as rookies.
What we learned: As we’ve seen the past two games, when the Fever’s offense is working, it’s pretty good. In both games, they also had their moments on defense, and that will be the key factor in whether they make the playoffs.
Clark broke records throughout her senior season at Iowa, and she’s already doing noteworthy stuff through 15 games her WNBA rookie year, too. She has had five games in which she has had at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. That’s the most in the WNBA this year, and the second most by a rookie in WNBA history. The only rookie who had more 20/5/5 games was Indiana’s Tamika Catchings in 2002.
Clark also has 40 3-pointers through 15 games as a rookie, which only three other players have done, including Indiana teammate Kelsey Mitchell. Clark is the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 200 points, 75 assists and 75 rebounds.
“The longer she’s in the league, she’s getting more and more comfortable,” Indiana coach Christie Sides said. “She’s having those moments with her new teammates, and we just have to keep growing and building on that.” — Michael Voepel
Up next: vs. Washington Mystics on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
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Angel Reese on officiating: ‘I guess some people got a special whistle’
Angel Reese says her flagrant 1 on Caitlin Clark was a “basketball play” and voices some frustration with the officiating.
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Reese had 11 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists as the Sky fell 91-83 at Indiana on Sunday. It was Reese’s seventh double-double, the most of any Sky rookie in history. Retired star center Sylvia Fowles, the WNBA’s all-time leader in double-doubles, previously held the Chicago rookie record with six, set in 2008.
Reese’s seven consecutive games with double-digit rebounds also set a WNBA rookie record. But Reese was irritated by foul calls in Sunday’s game, as she finished with five. She also didn’t agree with being called for a flagrant foul 1 against Indiana’s Clark, but the contact she inadvertently made with Clark’s head on a shot-block attempt basically made that upgrade automatic.
What we learned: Chicago has lost four games in a row, all by single digits. While that’s frustrating, it shows that the Sky are competing pretty well, even if they’re not getting the results they want.
Reese’s performances this season have been consistent, and a lot like how she played in college. That’s mostly quite good. She is an elite rebounder, but she must keep working on her shooting percentage. Sunday, she was 4-of-13 from the field (30.7%), and for the season she’s shooting 37.1%. — Voepel
Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Thursday (noon ET)
Center | 6-foot-7 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Cardoso had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists in the Sky’s 91-83 loss at Indiana on Sunday. She was 4-of-11 from the field (36.4%), which is low for her; she is shooting 48.9% for the season.
Cardoso and Reese became the first rookie teammates to get double-doubles in the same game since 2008, when the Minnesota Lynx’s Candice Wiggins and Charde Houston did it. Considering how both Reese and Cardoso have played thus far, it seems likely we’ll see more dual double-doubles from them this season.
What we learned: The Sky rookie post players had good games, but the Fever’s slightly older posts did better. Second-year pro Aliyah Boston and third-year pro NaLyssa Smith combined for 34 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 blocks for Indiana. — Voepel
Up next: vs. Dallas Wings on Thursday (noon ET)
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Aaliyah Edwards attacks the rim and banks in a Mystics and-1
Aaliyah Edwards attacks the rim and banks in a Mystics and-1.
Forward | 6-foot-3 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: What’s this? A winning streak? Indeed, after starting the season 0-12, the Mystics got their second victory in a row Friday, beating the visiting Chicago Sky. Edwards had 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, plus a team-high 9 rebounds. She added 3 blocked shots and 2 assists.
What we learned: Brittney Sykes was out again for Friday night’s game after a brief return to the lineup. Sykes was injured in the second game of the season in May, then came back with 18 points in Tuesday’s win at the Atlanta Dream. But Sykes suffered a sprained left foot vs. the Dream and is now expected to be out at least another two weeks.
Even with that disappointment and the continued absence of injured center Shakira Austin (who has played just six games), Washington has started to find its groove — and Edwards has a lot to do with that. The No. 6 pick in April’s draft, Edwards has scored in double figures in four of her past six games and is averaging 9.1 PPG. — Michael Voepel
Up next: at Indiana Fever on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Forward | 6-foot-2 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: Jackson had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists as she played 34 minutes in the Sparks’ 87-74 loss at Atlanta on Sunday. She was 7-of-13 from the field, and it was the second time this season she has had back-to-back double-digit scoring games.
Jackson had 19 points and 10 rebounds Friday at Minnesota.
What we learned: This was the most points (32) that Brink and Jackson have combined to score in a WNBA game thus far in their rookie season. But coach Curt Miller’s biggest concern was defense, especially in the fourth quarter when the Sparks were outscored 27-13. — Voepel
Up next: at Connecticut Sun on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Forward | 6-foot-4 | Game log | Stats
Last time out: After being held scoreless Friday at Minnesota, Brink had 16 points Sunday in an 87-74 loss at Atlanta. She also had 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. She made 6 of 13 shots from the field, her second-most makes. She was 7-of-12 vs. Dallas on May 26.
After getting at least one block in her first 12 WNBA games, Brink has not blocked a shot in her past two games.
What we learned: The Sparks got what seemed at the time like a confidence-building victory over Las Vegas on June 9. That was a great result right before seven consecutive games on the road, but the Sparks have lost the first three of those. — Voepel
Up next: at Connecticut Sun on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
